DUBAI: Michael Kim produced a brilliant burst of scoring on the back nine to lead by one shot after the first round of the 2025 DP World Tour Championship on Thursday at the Earth Course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
The FedEx Open de France champion made three birdies on the front nine before catching fire after the turn, firing five birdies in six holes from the 10th to set the early clubhouse target at eight under par.
None of the later starters were able to match or beat the American’s 64, with Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood his nearest challenger on seven under.
Fleetwood posted a sparkling 65 to maintain his remarkable form over the past three months. He has won his first PGA TOUR title to capture the FedExCup, played a key role in Europe’s historic away Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black, and lifted the DP World India Championship trophy.
The Englishman also went close at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but lost out to Aaron Rai in a tense playoff on Sunday.
Race to Dubai Rankings leader Rory McIlroy sits in a tie for third, one shot behind Fleetwood, alongside Thriston Lawrence and Andy Sullivan.
Making his first appearance at the DP World Tour’s season finale, Kim’s iron play was particularly impressive as he got inside 3 meters at 11 of the 18 holes to give himself plenty of birdie chances.
He opened his birdie account from about 60 centimeters at the long second before producing a good par save on the third.
After sending his tee-shot at the fourth to just over 5 meters, he converted his birdie putt before picking up another shot from 2 meters at the seventh.
Kim began the front nine with back-to-back birdies from 1.5 meters on the 10th and 11th before making it three in a row with a 3.6-meter at the 12th.
He moved to seven under par at the 14th as he holed his birdie try from 2.1 meters but looked in danger of dropping a shot after his tee-shot on the 15th went way left.
However, he produced a shot-of-the-day contender from among the trees, lifting his second shot from the sand to within 1.5 meters to set up an unlikely birdie.
Kim continued to give himself chances on the way in but had to settle for three closing pars.
He said: “Just had everything going. Drove it in the fairway enough times, and I hit my irons really great, and was able to roll some putts in.
“My coach Sean and I worked a quick FaceTime session on Monday night and worked really well.
“Happy to hit that many inside 10 feet (3 meters).”
Kim is enjoying the DP World Tour and coming to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, France and India.
“I personally really enjoy the travel. The competition is great, and I thoroughly enjoy my time here.”
Away from the action on the Earth course, the newly-enhanced first tee area resulted in the highest-attended opening day in tournament history.
The first tee announcer rallied the crowd, rewarding the loudest fans with tournament merchandise before the world’s leading players stepped up to take their opening drives.
Between tee times, Q&A sessions with cricket legend Eoin Morgan and tennis ace Alexei Popyrin kept spectators entertained.
Meanwhile, yesterday evening marked a memorable conclusion to the Heroes of Hope coaching program as the young athletes of determination received their final lesson from DP World Tour star Richard Mansell.
Having trained weekly at the Tommy Fleetwood Academy over the last eight weeks, the Heroes of Hope brought their journey to a close at Jumeirah Golf Estates ahead of this week’s championship.
